Flood the mind for creativity, then attune yourself to your body’s reactions to pinpoint the best ideas.

Scott Adams is the creator of the Dilbert comic strip, which has been published in 19 languages in more than 2,000 newspapers in 57 countries. He is the best-selling author of How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big, God’s Debris, and The Dilbert Principle. Scott clears his mind and then floods it to enable him to generate new ideas for work and life. He finds that being alert for bodily reactions acts as a detector for good material. It takes practice, but it works and his success is proof of its effectiveness.

1. Clear your mind and flood it with new input.
   Look at the news, at things you haven’t seen, or think about a new problem or idea.

2. Monitor your body and notice when you have a reaction.
   As the ideas flow through your mind, monitor your body for an involuntary half-chuckle, a rush of adrenaline, a surge of endorphins, a sharp change of emotions, etc.

3. Write down the idea that you reacted to.
   If something makes your body change, it will be something that other people care about too.